China is accusing Indonesia of firing at one of its fishing boats and injuring one of the crew members.  Indonesia's navy confirms that warning shots were fired, but no one was harmed before the vessel and its crew were detained.

"China strongly protests and condemns such excessive use of force," said Chinese ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying in Beijing.  "China urges Indonesia to stop taking action that escalates tension, complicates issues or affects peace and stability," she added.

Ms. Hua claimed several Indonesian ships opened fire in a "traditional Chinese fishing ground", which appear to actually be Indonesian waters hundreds of kilometers beyond China's internationally-recognized maritime borders.  Jakarta says that means the Chinese ship were poachers.

"Whatever the flag, when they commit violations inside Indonesia’s jurisdiction, we, in this case the navy, will not hesitate to act decisively,' said Indonesian Navy spokesman Edi Sucipto.

The clash last Friday was the latest dust-up between the two nations as China grows increasingly assertive in South China Sea and beyond.  Beijing late last month lodged a strong protest after the Indonesian navy seized a Chinese boat in waters near Indonesia’s Natuna Islands for allegedly fishing illegally.  In March, Chinese coast guards rammed a Chinese boat detained near the Natunas, helping it escape as the Indonesians towed the vessel to shore.